CVE-2023-36041
HighMicrosoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Published Nov 15, 2023 · Updated Oct 8, 2025
Key Facts
Patch immediately- CVE-2023-36041 is a high-severity vulnerability (CVSS 7.8 v3.1) affecting 365 Apps (Microsoft), Excel (Microsoft), Office (Microsoft) and 6 more products.
- It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog. No public exploit code is known.
- EPSS estimates a 57% probability of exploitation in the next 30 days.
- Fixed versions are available, including Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases, Microsoft Excel 2016 16.0.5422.1000, Microsoft Office 2019 https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases.
- Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
CVSS v3.1
7.8
CVSS:3.1/AV:L/AC:L/PR:N/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H
EPSS (30-day exploit likelihood)
57%
Higher than 99.0% of all scored CVEs
Exploited in the wild
No known
Not in a known-exploited catalog
Public exploit code
None known
Get the full CVE-2023-36041 brief as a PDF
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Description
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Affected Products
14 affected entries in total| Product | Affected versions | Fixed in |
|---|---|---|
| 365 AppsMicrosoft | See advisory | n/a |
| ExcelMicrosoft | 2016 | n/a |
| OfficeMicrosoft | 2019 | n/a |
| Office Long Term Servicing ChannelMicrosoft | 2021 | n/a |
| Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise | >= 16.0.1 | https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases |
Patched Releases
Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Excel 2016
16.0.5422.1000
Microsoft Office 2019
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office LTSC 2021
https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases
Microsoft Office LTSC for Mac 2021
16.79.23111019
Timeline
Publicly disclosed
Nov 15, 2023
Last updated
Oct 8, 2025
Weakness Type
- CWE-416 Use After Free
References
- advisoryhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/releaseNote/2023-Nov
- advisoryhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36025
- advisoryhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36033
- advisoryhttps://msrc.microsoft.com/update-guide/vulnerability/CVE-2023-36036
- advisoryhttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/microsoft/microsoft-fixes-critical-azure-cli-flaw-that-leaked-credentials-in-logs/
FAQ
Common Questions.
Microsoft Excel Remote Code Execution Vulnerability
Affected: 365 Apps (Microsoft); Excel (Microsoft) versions 2016; Office (Microsoft) versions 2019, among others. The full list is in the CVE brief.
It is not listed in any known-exploited vulnerabilities catalog.
No, it is not currently listed in the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog.
No public exploit code is known.
Fixed versions are available, including Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases, Microsoft Excel 2016 16.0.5422.1000, Microsoft Office 2019 https://aka.ms/OfficeSecurityReleases.
Brandefense priority: patch immediately, because it is very likely to be exploited soon.
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